Locknut secured dumbbell assembly

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are provided for assembling fixed-weight dumbbells and barbells. The apparatus and method use locknuts to secure weight plates to the fixed-weight dumbbells and barbells. The locknuts are permanently (or semi-permanently) attached or affixed to opposing ends of the bars or handles of the fixed-weight dumbbells and barbells. The attaching of the locknuts to the bar or handle may be accomplished by any known permanent (or semi-permanent) fastening technique, including welding, soldering, fusing, braising, bonding, and the like. Bolts or other threaded means are then screwed through openings in the weight plates into the locknuts to secure the weight plates to the bar or handle. The locking mechanisms of the locknuts thereafter prevent the bolts or other threaded means from loosening and backing out over time, even under severe shock and vibration conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related in subject matter to, and incorporatesherein by reference in its entirety, commonly-owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ entitled “Locknut Having Double LockingMechanism,” and filed on the same day as this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate generally to fixed-weight dumbbells andbarbells and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for securingsuch dumbbells and barbells using locknuts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fixed-weight dumbbells and barbells have weights that are permanently orsemi-permanently fixed, in contrast to adjustable dumbbells and barbellswhere weights may be added and removed as needed. Common fixed-weightdumbbell and barbell configurations include 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 20pounds, 30 pounds, 50 pounds, and so forth. In a typical arrangement,one or more weight plates are mounted at each end of a bar or handle andheld in place via a mechanical fastener, such as a bolt and the like. Insome instances, washers or end caps may be disposed between the boltheads and the weight plates to more securely fasten the weight plates tothe bar or handle.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a typical dumbbell 100 of the typedescribed above. As can be seen, the dumbbell 100 includes weight plates102 and 104 mounted at opposing ends of a bar or handle 106. The weightplates 102 and 104 are supported via bolts 108 and 110 inserted throughholes in the weight plates 102 and 104, defined by annular walls 112 and114, respectively. The bolts 108 and 110 are then screwed via threadsformed on the bolts (see diagonal dashed lines) into openings in theends of the bar or handle 106, defined by annular walls 116 and 118,respectively, in order to secure the weight plates 102 and 104 to thebar or handle 106. Annular stops 120 and 122 may in some cases be formedor otherwise affixed flushed with the ends of the bar or handle 106 andcoaxial along longitudinal axis “A” thereof to provide additionalsupport for the weight plates 102 and 104.

Fixed-weight dumbbells like the one shown in FIG. 1, however, have anumber of drawbacks. For example, the dumbbells often endure multipletypes of mechanical stresses, shocks, and vibrations during the courseof a workout as the dumbbells are haphazardly dropped and tossed about.These mechanical stresses, shocks, and vibrations can cause the boltsholding the weight plates on the bar or handle to gradually workthemselves loose over time and back out, rendering the dumbbellspotentially unsafe. Fixed-weight barbells are likewise susceptible tosimilar kinds of problems.

Accordingly, what is needed is a more reliable way to secure weightplates to the bar or handle of a fixed-weight dumbbell or barbell. Morespecifically, what is needed is a fixed-weight dumbbell or barbellwherein the bolts holding the weight plates to the bar or handle arelocked in place and prevented from backing out over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspect of the invention relate to an improved apparatus and method forassembling fixed-weight dumbbells and barbells. The apparatus and methoduse locknuts to secure weight plates to the fixed-weight dumbbells andbarbells. The locknuts are permanently (or semi-permanently) attached oraffixed to opposing ends of the bars or handles of the fixed-weightdumbbells and barbells. Attaching the locknuts to the bar or handle maybe accomplished by any known permanent or (semi-permanent) attachingtechnique, including welding, soldering, fusing, braising, bonding, andthe like. Bolts or other threaded means are then screwed throughopenings in the weight plates into the locknuts to secure the weightplates to the bar or handle. Such an arrangement securely locks thebolts or other threaded means to the bar or handle, thus preventing themfrom loosening and backing out over time, even under severe shock andvibration conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description and upon reference to thedrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art dumbbell;

FIGS. 2A-2B are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of anexemplary dumbbell according to aspects of the invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, ofanother exemplary dumbbell according to aspects of the invention; and

FIGS. 4A-4B are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of yetanother exemplary dumbbell according to aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The drawings described above and the written description of specificstructures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope ofwhat has been invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, thedrawings and written description are provided to teach any personskilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patentprotection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that notall features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are describedor shown for the sake of clarity and understanding.

Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the developmentof an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of theinventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions toachieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment.Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are notlimited to, compliance with system-related, business-related,government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specificimplementation, location and from time to time. While a developer'sefforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, suchefforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skillin this art having benefit of this disclosure.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed and taught hereinare susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternativeforms. Thus, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to,“a” and the like, is not intended as limiting of the number of items.Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,”“bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” andthe like, are used in the written description for clarity in specificreference to the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention or the appended claims.

As mentioned above, aspects of the invention relate to an improvedapparatus and method for assembling fixed-weight dumbbells and barbells.Specifically, aspects of the invention involve using locknuts to secureweight plates to the fixed-weight dumbbells and barbells. The locknutsare permanently (or semi-permanently) attached or affixed to opposingends of the bars or handles of the dumbbells and barbells. Bolts orother threaded means may then be screwed through openings in the weightplates and into the locknuts to secure the weight plates to the bar orhandle. Such an arrangement prevents the bolts or other threaded meansfrom loosening and backing out over time, even under severe shock andvibration conditions.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a side view and a perspective view areshown, respectively, of an example of a fixed-weight dumbbell 200according to aspects of the invention. As can be seen, the dumbbell 200includes weight plates 202 and 204 mounted at opposing ends of a bar orhandle 206. The weight plates 202 and 204 are supported via bolts 208and 210 or other threaded means inserted through holes in the weightplates 202 and 204, as defined by annular walls 212 and 214,respectively. The bolts 208 and 210 are then screwed via threads on thebolts (see diagonal dashed lines) into openings in the ends of the baror handle 206, as defined by annular walls 216 and 218, respectively, inorder to hold the weight plates 202 and 204 on the bar or handle 206.Annular stops 220 and 222 may be formed or otherwise affixed flushedwith the ends of the bar or handle 206 and coaxial along longitudinalaxis “B” thereof to provide additional support for the weight plates 202and 204.

In accordance with aspects of the invention, locknuts 224 and 226 may bedisposed at opposing ends of the bar or handle 206, one locknut on eachend, coaxial with the annular stops 220 and 222 and the bar or handle206. Each locknut 224 or 226 may be permanently (or semi-permanently)attached or otherwise mounted to a respective end of the bar or handle206 so that the locknut 224 or 226 is fixedly, rigidly, or otherwiseimmovably held in place relative to the bar or handle 206. The attachingof the locknuts 224 and 226 may be accomplished using any techniqueknown to those having ordinary skill in the art, including by welding,soldering, fusing, braising, bonding, and the like. The bolts 208 and210 may then be screwed into the locknuts 224 and 226 to secure theweight plates 202 and 204 to the bar or handle 206.

In some implementations, annular recesses may be formed in the weightplates 202 and 204, as defined by annular walls 228 and 230 and backwalls 232 and 234, respectively, in order to receive the locknuts 224and 226 fully within the weight plates 202 and 204. Such annularrecesses in the weight plates 202 and 204 may provide protection for thelocknuts 224 and 226 to prevent tampering and exposure to potentiallydamaging contact with the external environment.

Any suitable locknut 224 and 226 known to those having ordinary skill inthe art may be used for the dumbbell 200 (and other dumbbells andbarbells discussed later herein), including locknuts having a singlelocking mechanism as well as locknuts having multiple lockingmechanisms. Examples of locknuts 224 and 226 that may be used for thedumbbell 200 include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,391,712 (King,et al.) and European Publication No. 0101783 (Yamamoto, et al.), both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference, as well as commonly-ownedU.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Locknut Having DoubleLocking Mechanism,” mentioned previously. The type, size, thread count,thread type, and other characteristics of the locknuts 224 and 226 mayvary and may be selected depending on the requirements of the particularapplication.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, ofan example of another fixed-weight dumbbell 300 according to aspects ofthe invention. As with the dumbbell 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the dumbbell300 includes weight plates 302 and 304 mounted at opposing ends of a baror handle 306. The weight plates 302 and 304 are supported via bolts 308and 310 or other threaded means inserted through holes in the weightplates 302 and 304, which are defined by annular walls 312 and 314,respectively. The bolts 308 and 310 are then screwed via threads on thebolts (see diagonal dashed lines) into openings in the ends of the baror handle 306, which are defined by annular walls 316 and 318,respectively, in order to hold the weight plates 302 and 304 to the baror handle 306. Annular stops (not expressly shown) may also be providedflushed with the bar or handle 306 and coaxial along longitudinal axis“C” thereof to support the weight plates 302 and 304 if desired.

In accordance with aspects of the invention, locknuts 320 and 322 may bedisposed fully within opposing ends of the bar or handle 306, onelocknut on each end, coaxial with the bar or handle 306. Annularrecesses may be formed in the ends of the bar or handle 306, as definedby annular walls 324 and 326 and back walls 328 and 330, respectively,for receiving the locknuts 320 and 322 within the ends of the bar orhandle 306. The annular recesses in the ends of the bar or handle 306provide protection for the locknuts 320 and 322 to prevent tampering andexposure to potentially damaging contact with the external environment.

As discussed above, each locknut 320 and 322 may be permanently (orsemi-permanently) attached or otherwise affixed to a respective end ofthe bar or handle 306 so that the locknut is fixedly, rigidly, orotherwise immovably held relative to the bar or handle 306. Suchattaching may be accomplished using any technique known to those havingordinary skill in the art, including by welding, soldering, fusing,braising, bonding, and the like. The bolts 308 and 310 may then bescrewed into the locknuts 320 and 322 to secure the weight plates 302and 304 to the bar or handle 306. Although not expressly shown, it isalso possible to use a mechanical restraint, such as a lip, tabs, orother structure extending from the annular walls 324 and 326 out overthe locknuts 320 and 322 to restrain and thereby secure the locknuts 320and 322 within the annular recesses in the opposing ends of the bar orhandle 306.

In some implementations, annular recesses may also be formed in theweight plates 302 and 304, as defined by annular walls 332 and 334 andback walls 336 and 338, respectively, for receiving the bolts 308 and310 partially or fully within the weight plates 302 and 304. The annularrecesses in the weight plates 302 and 304 provide protection for thebolts 308 and 310 to minimize tampering and exposure to potentiallydamaging contact with the external environment and also give thedumbbell 300 a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a side view and a perspective view areshown, respectively, of an example of yet another fixed-weight dumbbell400 according to aspects of the invention. As with the previousdumbbells 200 and 300, the dumbbell 400 includes weight plates 402 and404 mounted at opposing ends of a bar or handle 406. In the presentimplementation, however, the weight plates 402 and 404 are not supportedby bolts, but rest instead on extensions 408 and 410 that are insertedthrough holes in the weight plates 402 and 404, as defined by annularwalls 412 and 414, respectively. Each extension 408 and 410, which maybe more clearly seen in FIG. 4B, includes a body section 432 that has adiameter similar to the diameter of the bar or handle 406. In addition,each extension 408 and 410 also has a smaller diameter threaded section434 that allows the extensions 408 and 410 to be screwed into openingsin the ends of the bar or handle 406, as defined by annular walls 416and 418, respectively, to hold the weight plates 402 and 404 on the baror handle 406. A head section (not separately labeled) on each extension408 and 410 prevents the weight plates 402 and 404 from sliding off ofthe extensions 408 and 410.

In a similar manner to that discussed earlier for the dumbbell 300,locknuts 420 and 422 may be disposed fully within opposing ends of thebar or handle 406, one locknut on each end, coaxial along longitudinalaxis “D” with the bar or handle 406. Annular recesses may be formed inthe ends of the bar or handle 406, as defined by annular walls 424 and426 and back walls 428 and 430, respectively, for receiving the locknuts420 and 422 within the ends of the bar or handle 406. The annularrecesses in the ends of the bar or handle 406 provide protection for thelocknuts 420 and 422 to prevent tampering and exposure to potentiallydamaging contact with the external environment. If desired, annularstops (not expressly shown) may also be provided flushed with the bar orhandle 406 and coaxial along axis “D” thereof to support the weightplates 402 and 404.

Each locknut 420 and 422 once again may be permanently (orsemi-permanently) attached or otherwise affixed to a respective end ofthe bar or handle 406 so that the locknut is fixedly, rigidly, orotherwise immovably held relative to the bar or handle 406. As before,the attaching may be accomplished using any technique known to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art, including by welding, soldering,fusing, braising, bonding, and the like. The extensions 408 and 410, orrather the threaded section 434 thereof, may then be screwed into thelocknuts 420 and 422 to secure the weight plates 402 and 404 to the baror handle 406. Mechanical restraints, such as a lip, tabs, or otherstructure extending from the annular walls 424 and 426 over the locknuts420 and 422 may also be used in the manner described above.

While the disclosed aspects of the invention have been described withreference to one or more specific implementations, those skilled in theart will recognize that many changes may be made. Accordingly, each ofthe foregoing embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplatedas falling within the spirit and scope of the different aspects of theinvention, which are set forth in the following claims.

1. A fixed-weight weight assembly, comprising: a bar or handle havingopposing ends, each opposing end having an opening formed therein; alocknut fixedly attached to each opposing end of the bar or handle on anexterior of the bar or handle and coaxial with the opening therein; oneor more weight plates disposed at each opposing end of the bar orhandle, each weight plate having a hole formed therein; and threadedmeans for supporting the one or more weight plates via the hole therein,each threaded means being screwed through one of the locknuts and intoone of the opposing ends of the bar or handle via the opening therein;wherein each locknut has at least one locking mechanism configured toprevent the threaded means screwed therethrough from loosening andbacking out of the bar or handle over time.
 2. The fixed-weight weightassembly according to claim 1, further comprising an annular stopdisposed flushed and coaxial with each opposing end of the bar or handlefor supporting the one or more weight plates.
 3. The fixed-weight weightassembly according to claim 1, further comprising an annular recessformed in each weight plate for receiving the locknut therein. 4.(canceled)
 5. The fixed-weight weight assembly according to claim 1,wherein each locknut is fixedly attached to a respective opposing end ofthe bar or handle using one or more of the following: welding,soldering, fusing, braising, and bonding.
 6. The fixed-weight weightassembly according to claim 1, wherein each threaded means is a bolt. 7.The fixed-weight weight assembly according to claim 6, furthercomprising an annular recess formed in each weight plate for receiving ahead of the bolt therein.
 8. The fixed-weight weight assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein each threaded means is an extension of the bar orhandle and has a larger diameter body section for supporting the atleast one weight plate and a smaller diameter threaded section forscrewing the threaded means through the locknut.
 9. The fixed-weightweight assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fixed-weight weightassembly is one of: a dumbbell assembly and a barbell assembly.
 10. Amethod of assembling fixed-weight weight assembly, comprising: fixedlyattaching a locknut to an end of a bar or handle on an exterior of thebar or handle, the locknut being coaxial with an opening formed in theend of the bar or handle; mounting at least one weight plate on athreaded means via a hole formed in the at least one weight plate, thethreaded means supporting the at least one weight plate; and screwingthe threaded means having the at least one weight plate mounted thereonthrough the locknut and into the opening in the end of the bar orhandle; wherein each locknut has at least one locking mechanismconfigured to prevent the threaded means from loosening and backing outof the bar or handle over time.
 11. The method according to claim 10,further comprising disposing an annular stop flushed and coaxial withthe end of the bar or handle for supporting the one or more weightplates.
 12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising formingan annular recess in each weight plate for receiving the locknuttherein.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The method according to claim 10, whereinthe locknut is fixedly attached to the end of the bar or handle usingone or more of the following: welding, soldering, fusing, braising, andbonding.
 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the threadedmeans includes a larger diameter body section for supporting a least oneweight plate and a smaller diameter threaded section for screwing thethreaded means through the locknut.
 16. The method according to claim10, wherein each threaded means is a bolt.
 17. The method according toclaim 16, further comprising forming an annular recess in the at leastone weight plate for receiving a head of the bolt therein.
 18. Themethod according to claim 10, wherein the method is one of: a dumbbellassembly and a barbell assembly.
 19. The fixed-weight weight assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein one or more locknuts have multiple lockingmechanisms.
 20. The method according to claim 10, wherein one or morelocknuts have multiple locking mechanisms.